SPORTS digest || Foster parent group sponsors golf scramble

Foster parent group sponsors golf scramble

YOUNGSTOWN

The Foster Parent Association of Mahoning County will hold its second annual golf scramble today at Parto’s Golf Course.

For details, contact Tom Parteleno at 239-404-1117 or Tammy Parteleno at 239-683-2534.

Two Valley officials will be honored

COLUMBUS

Two Mahoning Valley officials will be honored today by the Ohio High School Athletic Association at the officials banquet. Salem’s Ted Yuhaniak will be honored as the boys cross country official of the year and Cortlan’s Troy Adair will be recognized for girls soccer.

Steelers Family Fest set for early August

PITTSBURGH

The Pittsburgh Steelers will host Family Fest at Heinz Field on Aug. 6, including the team’s first open training camp practice at the stadium.

Hours are 5-9 p.m. and admission costs $10. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Prior to Steelers’ player introductions before practice, a Parade of Champions march with Special Olympic Athletes, first responders and members of the military will take place on the field. Steelers alumni Merril Hoge, Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley will provide analysis from the sideline during practice.

Activities for Family Fest will take place outside on Art Rooney Avenue beginning at 3 p.m., and continue throughout Heinz Field in the FedEx Great Hall, the Ford Fan Zone and the West Concourse.

Fans will have the opportunity to take a photo next to all six of the team’s Lombardi Trophies in the FedEx Great Hall and also meet Steelers alumni.

Kimball wins first IndyCar pole at Texas

fort worth, texas

Charlie Kimball took pole with his two-lap average speed of 222.556 mph Friday. Kimball was more than 3 mph faster than the previous Texas two-lap record when Will Power averaged 219.182 mph four years ago. There were 17 drivers Friday who qualified faster than Power’s average in 2013.

“Anytime you see a number 220 and above on your dash, it gets your attention,” Kimball said. “You get out of the car and definitely feel a little stronger than you did when got in the car, that’s for sure.”

Kimball’s first pole comes in his 109th career start. Series points leader Scott Dixon, his Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, will start on the front row alongside him after his qualifying run of 222.516 mph

Alexander Rossi qualified third, ahead of Tony Kanaan and Tristan Vautier, who is filling in for injured Sebastien Bourdais.

Graham Rahal, the defending Texas winner who last weekend won both races in Detroit, will start 11th after a 220.954 mph average.

Texas decided to repave the track and do extensive drainage improvements after both NASCAR weekends last year also were hampered by rain. The old asphalt had become porous, almost like sponge, making it difficult to dry in a timely matter.

Georgia Dome implosion date set

atlanta

With construction of the Atlanta Falcons’ new Mercedes-Benz Stadium moving closer to completion, the implosion of the Georgia Dome has been set for Nov. 20.

Steve Cannon, chief executive officer of Falcons owner Arthur Blank’s AMB Group, says there have been “a few exciting milestones on the roof over the last week” for the new stadium. That clears the path for plans to demolish the Georgia Dome, which stands beside the new stadium.

The Falcons had put a hold on decommissioning the Georgia Dome until there were no doubts the new facility would be ready for the 2017 season. The first event in the new facility, which also will be home to MLS Atlanta United, will be a Falcons preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 26.

Staff/wire report